Ernest Morales III

Ernest Morales III
Official portrait, 2023
9th Chief of the Metro Transit Police Department
In office February 27, 2023 – September 23, 2024
Preceded by	Eddie Frizell
First Deputy Commissioner – Mount Vernon Police Department
In office July 21, 2020 – December 31, 2022
Personal details
Born	(1967-08-02) August 2, 1967
Spouse	Yolanda Morales
Alma mater	John Jay College (MS) Empire State University (BS) FBI National Academy
Military service
Branch/service	United States Navy United States Navy Reserve
Years of service	1999-2021
Highest rank attained	Lt. Commander
Awards	Defense Meritorious Service Medal Joint Service Achievement Medal Meritorious Service Medal Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal

Ernest Morales III was an American law enforcement officer most recently as the 9th Chief of the Metro Transit Police in Minnesota, with over 30 years of experience in various roles in law enforcement, including the New York City Police Department and Mount Vernon Police Department.

Early life and education

Ernest Morales III was born and raised in the Lower East Side, a neighborhood known for its poverty and crime.

Morales attended Chelsea Vocational High School. After graduating from high school, Morales continued his journey as an amateur boxer while working as a custodian for PS 23K Carter G. Woodson Elementary School before joining the ranks of the NYPD.

Morales attended Empire State University. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Police Administration and later went on to complete a Master's degree in Protection Management from John Jay College.

Official Navy Reserve Portrait

Morales enlisted in the United States Navy Reserve under the Navy's Advanced Pay Grade program. He later received a direct commission as an Ensign in the Navy Reserve, where he served for 22 years, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander with the Joint Intelligence Center (JICCENT), US Central Command (USCENTCOM).

First Deputy Commissioner – Mount Vernon Police Department

Ernest Morales III created history when he was sworn into the Mount Vernon Police Department as the First Deputy Police Commissioner of Hispanic descent in Mount Vernon NY. During his time with the city, then Commissioner Morales help lead the city to crime reductions and created a Cold Case Squad which revisited unsolved homicides bringing several cases to a close with arrests and a final resolution for the mourning families.

Commissioner Morales also brought his Christmas tradition with him as well during the Corona-19 Pandemic.

Deputy Inspector - New York City Police Department

Then Captain Ernest Morales III and the Commanding Officer of Transit Bureau, District 12 in the Bronx was promoted to the rank of Deputy Inspector and later transferred to 042nd Precinct where he focused on safety through community outreach. He embraced all members of the community inviting them into the precinct for honest heartfelt conversations about their interactions with the Police. After several of these listening sessions Deputy Inspector Morales decided to create a haunted house within an abandoned area within the Precinct. This event was held for two years in a row with the line running around the block from start to finish. ironically, this helped strengthen the trust and relationships between the members in the community and the officers. He followed this event by hosting a home cooked Thanksgiving meal to families within the confines of the precinct and then ending the holiday season with the children receiving a visit from Santa Claus himself after touring a winter wonderland. All which were created by officers and community partners donating up to 1000 gifted presents to children.

Deputy Inspector Morales was then transferred to Housing Bureau Bronx/Queens as the Executive Officer before retiring and assuming his new Role as the First Deputy Police Commissioner in the city of Mount Vernon, New York.

Metro Transit Police Department

Morales began serving as the police chief for the Metro Transit Police Department in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on February 27, 2023. In August 2024, Morales was put on paid leave during an investigation of multiple complaints of his workplace behavior and a toxic environment. On September 23, 2024, it was reported that Morales had resigned from the position while the investigation was ongoing.

Boxing career

Morales credits boxing as his means of escaping the difficult circumstances of growing up in New York City during the 1970s and 1980s. Coming from a single-parent household, he had to fight for what he desired. His first experience in the boxing ring occurred when he was just 11 years old.

During his formative years, Morales had two primary aspirations: to become a New York City police officer and a professional boxer. Fortunately, he can proudly state that he accomplished both of these goals. After engaging in numerous amateur fights locally and internationally, Morales had his first and only professional fight at the age of 21 and won.

Personal life

Morales is married to his wife Yolanda, and they have four children. Morales is also an avid boxer and marathon runner and has received the Six Star Medal for completing all six of the world's major marathons. He was the first member of the NYPD to achieve this honor.

Morales also served as an Inspector with the New York State Athletic Commission regulating professional combat sports within the state and was promoted to Deputy Commissioner before assuming his role as the Chief of Metro Transit.